Coronavirus FAQs

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We Will Get Through This Together

We understand that things can be stressful for you and your family during the pandemic, especially with the new restrictions in our visitation policy and changes to how we provide care. Our Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) has a special message for you.

Children's National Hospital Coronavirus Hotline

For general questions about coronavirus, families can call 202-476-5169 to speak with staff from Children's National between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you have questions about your child's personal healthcare needs, please contact your child's care team.

Key Health Information

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats and bats. Several coronaviruses routinely infect humans and are a cause of the common cold. The CDC is currently responding to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and has now been detected in many locations internationally, including the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes is named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date. You can learn more about who is most at risk for health problems if they have COVID-19 infection on CDC’s current Risk Assessment page.

The symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illnesses, similar to the flu. Learn more information about COVID-19 symptoms and what to do if you think you have been exposed.

If your child is experiencing inflammation of different body parts, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, gastrointestinal tract, skin or eyes; they may be experiencing Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). Learn more about MIS-C.

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To prevent the spread of illness, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. You should also avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick. Learn more about how to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

There is currently no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. Infected persons should still see a health care provider for supportive care to help relieve their symptoms. Additionally, a vaccine is not yet available to protect against COVID-19, although there is a global effort underway to find an effective vaccine.

Exposure and Diagnosis

If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you should immediately contact your primary care provider and follow their instructions. Learn what you should do if you think your child has been exposed to COVID-19.

If you suspect that your child may have contracted COVID-19, you should immediately contact your primary care provider or your child’s pediatrician. Your primary care provider will then work with your local and state health departments to determine the appropriate next steps for your child’s care. Please visit the Emergency Department only if you are experiencing an emergency. This will help limit the potential spread of the virus in our community, and will help ensure that our Emergency Department is able to care for patients with the most critical needs first.

Children’s National has closely monitored the outbreak of COVID-19 since it was first reported. The Children’s National Division of Infectious Diseases and Office of Infection Control/Epidemiology has developed institutional guidelines based on the CDC’s recommendations for the identification, isolation and treatment of patients who are under investigation for or have a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) is a condition in which different body parts become inflamed, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, gastrointestinal tract, skin or eyes. Children with MIS-C can have a variety of symptoms, including:

Fever

Abdominal pain

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Neck pain

Rash

Bloodshot eyes

Feeling extra tired

We do not yet know what causes MIS-C, however many children with MIS-C have tested positive for COVID-19. While MIS-C is a serious condition, with proper medical care most children are able to recover. If you have concerns your child is suffering from MIS-C, please call your primary care provider.

The link between MIS-C and COVID-19 is evolving every day, and pediatricians and researchers at Children’s National and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are working tirelessly to understand its current and long-term effects on children. For additional information, please visit the CDC page on MIS-C.

Blood Donation

Yes, blood donation is safe. The blood collectors check the health of all donors before they are allowed to donate. Individuals are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 through the blood donation process or via a blood transfusion, since respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmitted by donation or transfusion. Learn more about why you should continue to donate blood.

Pregnancy and Coronavirus

We understand that you may have questions about how coronavirus impacts your pregnancy. Read our frequently asked questions, which cover concerns about getting pregnant or being pregnant during COVID-19, as well as how the virus may affect infants.

Mental Health Resources

Families around the world are under increased stress and anxiety due to the pandemic. In response, our team has compiled a variety of crisis and mental health resources to help you and your family get through this challenging time.

We know that unexpected changes and uncertainty can be a source of stress for kids. As schools are rearranging their schedules because of the coronavirus outbreak, some are continuing their activities via online or distance learning. In light of this, Children’s National Hospital is proud to announce that we have partnered with EVERFI, the leading technology education company, to make available an online course on mental health and wellness.

The course, Mental Wellness Basics,* is appropriate for middle and high school students, particularly those in grades 8, 9 and 10. It is being offered free of charge to students in D.C., Maryland and Virginia through sponsorship from Children’s National.

The four-part course offers education on the basics of mental wellness, information on understanding mental health disorders, practical and healthy coping skills that can be used immediately and resources for getting help when it’s needed.

If your child is in grades 8, 9 or 10, the “Mental Wellness Basics” online course may be a helpful addition to their online coursework.

*This course is for educational purposes and should not be used as a substitute for clinical care.

Additional Information

In addition to referencing the CDC’s website for the most up-to-date information, take a look at our webinars to help families through the pandemic and Rise and Shine, our parenting blog, COVID-19 resources.